There has been plenty of discussion this year about our approach to recruitment and retention.
Both Jim and Matt Beech have been forthright in the focus being on bringing through juniors. Despite that we've seen external signings during the season such as Dylan Walker, Tallyn Da Silva and Jack de Belin (for 2026).
What remains though is a focus on who will partner Mitchell Moses in the halves in round 1 2026.
Joash Papalii and Dean Hawkins have both featured at 5/8 this season alongside Moses. The club has also recruited Ronald Volkman who partnered Matt Hunter in the halves in NSW Cup, while Lorenzo Talataina has made the jump to NSW Cup with aplomb.
So, you're now the GM.
What's your recruitment/retention look like when it comes to our 5/8 for 2026 and into the future. You can't just be selecting for 2026, you need to map out your 5/8 until the end of 2029, when Moses' contract finishes.
Right now you have on the books:
- Dean Hawkins
- Joash Papalii
- Ronald Volkman
- Lorenzo Talataina
- Josh Lynn
- Apa Twidle
Talataina has been highly touted in recent years, most notably taking out the SG Ball Player of the Year award in 2025, before jumping from Ball to Flegg and into NSW Cup.
Hawkins has filled in at halfback and 5/8 this year, with the Eels playing some of their most consistent footy with Footy Dean in the halves.
Volkman was tossed into the deep end, having to begin the year in the halves in NRL after more than 12 months off due to a shoulder injury. Closer watches of NSW Cup have said Volkman is working his way back to consistent form as the Eels have moved into second.
Papalii has gone from exciting development prospect to playing fullback, five-eighth and off the bench in first grade. Jason Ryles has said Papalii remains part of the club's plans.
Josh Lynn spent 9 games in NSW Cup in 2024 but has dropped back to Flegg this year, managing just 3 games in reserve grade. It appears as though he has dropped down the pecking order.
Apa Twidle is a known name around Eels lower grades. Having joined the club in 2023, he was the fullback in that side's SG Ball premiership win. Since then he has shifted from Flegg to NSW Cup in both the halves and at fullback. This season though he has played at fullback all season in NSW Cup.
Over to you. Who is your 2026 5/8 and which halves are you retaining or recruiting to the end of 2029?
Replies
This. It's a no brainer if possible to get DCE. There is no downside to this. It gives us two creative halves and buys time to see if our juniors are up to it. DCE can tutor them along the way at training and in games when needed. You have to have two decent halves to win the comp. Winning the comp is the only goal. We still need to buy a prop and a centre but DCE will make a huge difference. I think we were played by Gould /Galvin and I now watch Bulldogs games just to hope Galvin gets defeated. He has destroyed that teams chemistry and interrupted our plans. There is a history of Eels and Eagles swapping sides and DCE should be the next one. Fitzgerald spent decades waiting for the next crop of juniors to come through and they never came. DCE is the missing link we need now
DCE signed with the roosters
So they say, but considering almost every player being mentioned is under an agreement somewhere , DCE is still currently the most available player that can make an instant difference . He hasn't signed anything officially yet by all reports.
If we want an instant result , he's our best option. We have tonnes of money and he's saying he's only looking for one year which suits us perfectly. He's old , but he's also had a magnificent history with injuries. I'd go further and offer him a coaching role somewhere post footy.
Considering losing Moses and another season is a high possibility, DCE is the man we should be going all in for. He's also all but retired from rep football.
Plus , we are playing imaginary scenarios 😜
The downside is DCE is a cancer DCE isn't for the best for a team he's in for the best deal for himself.Also you want to talk defensive liability well I hate to break this too you but DCE is that too.If I'm honest I wouldn't want the drama he brings with him.Ever since he back flipped on the GC and went back to Manly the mentioned have done nothing.They were touted as a top 4 team this last off season and now look at them a putrid mess that there captain helped create.Can you honestly say DCE would want to be number 2 to Moses.
As for development and the next guy up for Parra how exactly has Luke Brooks looked playing with him imo the DCE lemon isn't worth the squeeze.The only player I'd take from Manly and if I could and had the opportunity necause he's off contract in 26 is Kola the centre I'd take him in a heart beat as my left centre and in that same heartbeat I'd take Jayden Campbell before DCE.
Ryles need a top 8, even top 4 next year. Hawkins is ok, wont get you into finals i feel. Joash neither, he is work in progress.
For me, no brainer, grab Sandon Smith for 2026 five eight, then after that he moves to lock when Talataina ready. Walker will be gone probably 2027-2028 so a perfect fit.
Still need a damaging center. I hear we are chasing someone, but he aint damaging like we need
I am hoping it is Marwene Hiroti from the Sharks. He is the centre we should be chasing.
As for 5/8, if we could land Jayden Campbell we are a top 8 or top 4 side. Papalii should be back up only. Talataina is still an unknown and may take time.
We also need a Naufahu Whyte type player, but there isn't much out there. We really lack an enforcer in the middle.
While we are at it, Beau Fermor or Talakai wouldn't be too bad either.
We do have some good juniors coming through, but with a decent war chest we should be chasing some quality to at least compete for a Premiership. If the juniors want to be part of it they will have to bide there time. Injuries always offer an opportunity so our juniors can step up when needed.
I think we need a top quality Prop. Haas would be the game changer but that is not happening. Tino is very good but I think he is spiralling down with the titans at the moment. We need a centre that has speed and can defend . PENISINI is not doing it for me any more as he approaches 100 games or whatever. He misses too many tackles and doesnt work well with his wingers whoever they may be. JAC has had little quality ball all year to be honest. Continued harbour bridge balls giving him a metre of space not going well for his longevity either.
The game RYLES is looking at playing relies heavily on completion rates over 80% and almost 95% tackle effeciency. When we play well, we transition from attack to defence and back very well. MOSES kicking game remains the key. Arm wrestle games rely on doing the 1% right EVERY GAME. At the moment we have too many players who can not maintain the concentration, discipline or desire to do that like the top 4 side side do every week.
WE are certainly moving in the right direction. This next pre season and with carefully targeted recruits could be the most significant thing to happen to our club for many years. The Pathways is going well IMO. Very good crop emerging. You need 1-4 to come through together to balance out the salary cap, allowing the purchase of a top tier player and to plan for the next few years to avoid the vacuam that will come with the two new sides.
I have been a big fan of Lorenzo. He is a special. However, he is kid who needs to be given a full pre season and have his body get used to being targeted EVERY GAME. What I like about him is that he is a kid that plays what is in front of him and risk/rewards of short short blind side runs has paid off for him at each level he has progressed to.
Jack D is a good signing. He is a high energy footballer. He will be very good for the team. I also think our rookie KAUTOGA improved in leaps and bounds in his first year. Another one that can go from being a hole filler to a game breaker due to his ability to hit holes, pass before and after line.
PT do you know whats happening with Bamblett? On BarTV the commentator during the JF game said there were rumours going around about him but did not elaborate.
I recon we will develop an elite level middle from within the club. Tuivita, Koina, Talagi and Polley all have that potential but obviously they are years away from reaching that stage. Hope we keep Paulo at the club after his retirement to mentor these polyensian boys.
But yeah, we need to find an elite middle now while they develop. Not sure if the club are interested in anyone for that?
I am so disappointed with Peninsi development. There is still time but with how dominant he was for Kings, eels pathways and first couple years of FG I really thought he was ontrack to be an origin callibre centre.
I've been a proponent for years that Parra need to open there eyes and widen there gaze around recruitment.Super and Provincial Rugby in NZ the islands Fiji in particular World 7s circuit first 15 rugby in NZ add these as viewing spots to add and recruit more talent.
I hate seeing other clubs do it and we seemingly are sitting on our hands.
I mean 10 years ago we had a bloke from Fiji named Semi Radradra who became the best winger since Grothe Snr to play on the wing for Parra and became the most damaging ball runner in the nrl.We got alot of good years out of Maika Sivo both guys won games scored tries and became cult figures for fans.The mentioned screaming the house down for these guys yet here we are yet to go back to that talent well.
If I'm the GM this is what I'm doing I'm sending my scouts to the mentioned stages and going hunting for talent instead of hoping we find this in a saturated player market that every nrl club is looking at.
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